4-yr-old undergoes life changing surgery with stunning results

November 17, 2016 1:11 AM

Young girl born with rare facial hernia gets to live a normal life after life changing surgery.

Before and after photo of Angel

A four-year-old girl born with encephalocele - a rare brain hernia and neural tube defect, has undergone a surgery that will change her life forever.

Angel from the Philippines, was born with the rare defect that has left her restricted in many ways.

Her mother, Cypres Salon told The Age, "When I saw her for the first time, I cried a lot. I cried every moment I looked at her and I blamed myself for her condition."

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When Angel was about 4-months-old, her parents managed to raise $5,500 for surgery in the Philippines.

Although it stopped the growth of the hernia and what is described as her 'brain spilling into the hernia,' the growth was still covering most of her left eye.

As expected, the hernia made life difficult for Angel and prevented her from sleeping, breathing and playing properly, like other kids her age. Angel often had to lift the lump up or move it to the side so she could see.

Labelled monster by most kids her age, Angel's sweetness and kindness remained intact.

In fact, once when a four-year-old boy approached her and said it to her face, she simply 'patted him on the shoulder and said "Hi".

"I was so amazed by her response," Ms Salon said, adding that Angel knew children were scared of her,"I was so proud of her."

Struggling to raise another $8,000 for Angel's hernia to be removed completely, Ms Salon and her husband, Dale was referred to the Children First Foundation - a non-profit foundation that aims to 'transform the lives of children by giving hope, exceptional care and pathways to a brighter future.'

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The Foundation flew Angel and her father to Australia for the procedure which was performed at the craniofacial unit of the Adelaide Women's and Children's Hospital in September.

The surgery which lasted for four hours was carried out by surgeon Walter Flapper, and involved cutting the 200-gram lesion off Angel's face before using bone taken from her hip to seal the hole in her forehead.

The surgery was a smashing success and Angel was able to see clearly for the first time in her life.